The motivation for the use of compressed air as an energy carrier and as a
storage means for many industrial applications resides in the simplicity and low-cost
conditions of its implementation. However, conventional pneumatic technology suffers
from a very low energetic efficiency even if the production, use and recycling of the
components can be said to be environmentally friendly, and it does not use problematic
materials. This introductory chapter positions pneumatic technology and discusses a
possible extension of the applications to the sector of energy storage in a general
manner. The chapter gives the historical background of the presented developments of
the book and gives an overview of the content of the document.
Keywords: Energy storage, Efficiency, Low pressure storage, Pneumatic actuators, Pumped hydro, Battery energy storage, Ageing effects.
